Per the eight-point list, "symptoms of gays" include liking to wear V-necks and other tight-fitting, light-colored clothes that show off muscular bodies. Also a surefire sign of being gay according to the Education Ministry: "Attraction to men."

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Homosexuals also likely to carry around "big handbags, similar to those used by women, when hanging out."

Lesbians are not as easy to spot as gays, according to the Ministry.

The four symptoms that out a latent lesbian are essential identical: Lesbians are "attracted to women"; "will distance themselves from other women" who are not their companions; enjoy "the company of women"; and "have no affection for men."

The guidelines, first reported by the website Malaysiakini, were released to hundreds of parents at a seminar called "Parents in Curbing LGBT Issue," which was organized by a nonprofit affiliated with the Islamic country's government.

They later received the Education Ministry's imprimatur.

"Such exposure is important and it is high time the LGBT issue is discussed openly and not think of it as a taboo," Deputy Education Minister Mohd Puad Zarkashi, who attended the seminar, is quoted as saying. "Once the children have these symptoms, immediate attention should be given."

Harsh attitudes toward the LGBT community is not unexpected in a country where sodomy remains highly illegal.